BELGIAN CITIZENSHIP

Belgian citizenship is based upon the Code of Belgian Nationality, dated June 28, 1984, and amended January 1, 1992.

BELGIAN CITIZENSHIP BY BIRTH: Birth within the territory of Belgium does not automatically confer citizenship.

BELGIAN CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT:

- Child born in Belgium, at least one of whose parents is a citizen of Belgium. This same rule applies for an adopted child.- Child born abroad, at least one of whose parents was a native-born citizen of Belgium. Parents have up to five years to register child.- CHILDREN OF IMMIGRANTS: Belgian citizenship may be granted when:- Child is born in Belgium to non-citizens who were also born in Belgium.- Child is born to non-citizens who have lived in Belgium at least 10 years before the birth of the child and who have filed a citizenship claim for the child.- Child born in Belgium, who has resided there continuously since birth, may make adeclaration of Belgian nationality between the ages of 18 and 30.

BELGIAN CITIZENSHIP BY NATURALIZATION: Belgian citizenship may be acquired upon fulfillment of the following conditions: Person is at least 18 years of age and has resided in country for at least 5 years.

DUAL BELGIAN CITIZENSHIP: NOT RECOGNIZED. Exception: Belgian children born abroad, who received the citizenship of country of birth, may hold dual citizenship until age 18.

LOSS OF BELGIAN CITIZENSHIP:- VOLUNTARY: Voluntary renunciation of citizenship can only be made if the person holds another citizenship or acquires it at the time of the declaration. Renunciations may be sent to the nearest Belgian Embassy.- INVOLUNTARY: The following are grounds for involuntary loss of Belgian citizenship:- Person voluntarily acquires foreign citizenship.- Person, born abroad and not in the service of Belgium, who lives abroad from age 18 to 28, without making a declaration of citizenship.

Belgian citizenship information is summarized from the above-mentioned law. Any action concerning Belgian citizenship should be taken after consulting with a Belgian immigration lawyer or the official authority responsible with Belgian citizenship.

AT the commune they informed me that there was a “hole” (gap) of 3 weeks in my database in 2004 and because of that it would not be easy for me to get belgian citizenship! but i have been here since 98 married to a belgian and have 2 kids born in belgium!! And 2004 to 2010 is more then 5 years, so what’s the problem if there is a gap of 3 weeks more then 5 years ago?? Probably did not renew my belgian id in time.

My mom was born (1932) in what was then the Belgium Congo and had Belgium citizenship. I have her original birth certificate. She is now deceased. My father was South African and I was born in what was then Northern Rhodesia in 1955. My father registered me in South Africa under the old Union of South Africa (pre 1961). My citizenship is South African. Do I qualify for Belgium citizenship ?